3D printing of polymer composites with carbon fiber content enables rapid manufacturing of various products without using molds, and importantly, reinforces the base polymer, thereby improving its mechanical properties and functionality. The carbon fiber content in the polymer base can vary and depends on the material properties required for the 3D printed model.
The master thesis focuses on the study of the influence of different carbon fiber content on the thermal and mechanical properties of 3D printed polymer composites. By conducting a three-point bending test, we examined the maximum stress of samples with varying carbon fiber content and dynamic mechanical properties through dynamic mechanical analysis. We also studied the thermal properties of the materials using differential dynamic calorimetry and flow properties of the melts by conducting a rheological test.
The results showed that higher carbon fiber content strengthens the polymer matrix, contributing to the maximum bending stress of the material and increasing its stiffness under dynamic loading. The orientation of carbon fibers in the polymer matrix in relation to the direction of loading is crucial. We also observed that higher carbon fiber content raises the crystallization temperature of the polymer composite and increases the viscosity and shear thinning behaviour of the melted samples.
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